Olivia Podmore’s grieving family have been left in disbelief after a crowdfunding scam surfaced in the wake of the former Olympic cyclist’s sudden death.
Podmore’s brother Mitchell posted an image on social media last night of a fake crowdfunding page that had been set up called “Help Olivia Podmore”.
The page was supposedly run by “Team Podmore” in Cambridge and had a photo of the 24-year-old featured.
“I hope this is not what I’m seeing,” Mitchell wrote alongside the screenshot.
Family, friends and the wider community in Cambridge have been mourning the 24-year-old. (Source: Other)
“The Podmores have not started a GoGetFunding or GiveaLittle page. Do not react to this.”
The page is still active on the crowdfunding website at the time of writing.
Podmore, 24, died on Monday, having represented New Zealand at both the 2016 Rio Olympics and 2018 Commonwealth Games in the team sprint with Natasha Hansen.
In a public social media post that has since been deleted, Podmore talked about the pressure of top level sport and particularly her relationship with Cycling New Zealand and High Performance Sport New Zealand.
Murray said he had spent the weekend with Podmore in Queenstown before her sudden death yesterday. (Source: Other)
Yesterday, former Olympic rower and close friend Eric Murray was one of many to pay tribute to the late cyclist, revealing he and his partner had just spent the weekend with Podmore in Queenstown.
“I was with her this time yesterday and I wish she had said something,” he said.
“We have lost a sister, a friend, and a fighter who lost that will of fight inside of her.”
Cycling NZ CEO Jacques Landry and HPSNZ CEO Raelene Castle said "additional layers" have been put in place for those who need it. (Source: Other)
Cycling NZ and HPSNZ said they are doing everything they can to support those athletes who now face two weeks in MIQ.
“We already had significant levels of support there and over the last 24 hours we've been working really hard to ensure there’s additional layers of support for anyone who needs it,” HPSNZ CEO Raelene Castle said.
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